News and Kathina
Dear Devotees and Friends,
Ayya has come back from her meditation retreat. After 10 days of focusing on metta (universal love), she has returned refreshed, with a bright heart! 💚
Ayya reports that the methodology of the retreat, led by lay teacher Shaila Catherine, required first letting go of all resentments and grievances (even toward politicians!). She didn’t know everyone would be reaching that deep into their psyches, but it was effective and powerful. She reflects that this kind of inner work is where conflict truly ceases.
“When the mind is balanced, mindful, and gentle with love (metta), one can live peacefully among the non-peaceful, even in these troubling times.” -Ayya Sudhamma
Ayya Sobhana will bless us with her presence at Charlotte Buddhist Vihara from October 27th through November 6th. Be sure to attend teachings here during that time if you’d like to learn from her.
The monastics’ annual Kathina (robe-acquiring) season is here. Our planned Kathina celebration at Charlotte Buddhist Vihara on Saturday, November 1st will be a scaled-down version with Ayya Sudhamma, and guests Ayya Sobhana and Ayya Saddha.We will not have the quorum of five Bhikkhunis required for official Kathina rituals; it will still be a joyful occasion!
That’s Saturday, November 1st, from 6:30am to 3pm EDT.
Our monthly Morning Meditation Retreat will be Sunday, November 2nd, from 9am - 12pm at Greatwoods Temple Gardens. Ayya Sobhana will be invited to lead it.
(Please keep in mind we’ll be on standard time, with Daylight Savings Time having ended that day.)
Ayya will be hosting her neighborhood association’s first block party this Saturday. Why at the Vihara? Because this neighborhood lacks any public gathering space, the closest thing being the recreation center in the next neighborhood - which is currently closed for repairs, after a sink hole opened under the lobby floor(!).
When Ayya and other neighborhood organizers discussed possible locations for the block party, all the other possible properties were unsuitable (i.e. not spacious enough, flat enough, etc. — and the Vihara has the added benefits of the covered carport in case of rain). But also there’s the nature of the Vihara as a longstanding gathering place that welcomes everyone without the insularity and inward-focus of a private residence - so for Ayya, it felt natural to offer it for the benefit of neighbors.
Thus, at the Vihara, in addition to people learning the Dhamma, learning and practicing meditation for relief and self-purification, gaining spiritual counseling, learning and engaging in the ancient rituals, offering a place for solace and comfort during hardest times, and a foothold for Sangha to survive and dwell in this community, we also bring this tangible blessing to the community.
Your efforts to keep the Vihara going bring countless blessings to the world. Ayya’s work in the community—as the only visible Buddhist representative among the million or so people of this area, and as president of the neighborhood association—is just one more facet of the goodness you bring. Your financial support keeps these doors open. But, signing up for Ayya’s teachings and attending in-person (or on zoom) are vital for the Vihara, and all the ripples of goodness that come from it, to continue into the future.
Thank you for all your ongoing support of this community.
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